Ron Rivera headed for second interview in Carolina

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 9, 2011, 11:56 AM EDT

We may have a favorite for the Carolina Panthers head coaching position.

SI’s Peter King reports that Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is headed for a second interview with the Panthers on Sunday. A second interview often precedes a job offer, although that’s not always the case. Perhaps the Panthers pick a few “finalists” for the position.

Carolina has interviewed four defensive coordinators for the job: Cleveland’s Rob Ryan, San Francisco’s Greg Manusky, Perry Fewell of the Giants, and Rivera.

Panthers need to hire Ryan ASAP. Asomugha loved playing for Ryan in Oakland and with him being a free agent now Ryan will surely be able to scoop him up. Rivera’s numbers are obvoiusly very good, but Ryan will be able to bring in a lot of players and the players will play their hearts out for him every down.

Rob Ryan isn’t getting a look in Cleveland because he said he came in with Mangini and he would be more than happy to leave with him. Not to mention he said if Holmgren fired the coaching staff it would be dumb as hell.